And from the start Thursday to the finish two hours later, Seger was determined to make his Milwaukee goodbye a great time.

You'd never have guessed that Seger underwent emergency spinal surgery just two years ago, forcing some show cancellations and prompting this retirement from the road.

He was frequently on the move Thursday, throwing up those signature fist pumps and baiting for audience adulation from every corner of the stage.

There were charmingly dorky stage moves, too, from jazz hands and air piano during "The Fire Inside," to what looked like a flash of the Chicken Dance for "Hollywood Nights." It was refreshing watching a rock star having such fun, cool factor be damned.

The exuberance did have one consequence: consistent vocal control. When he was on the move, Seger's voice was noticeably thinner and flatter, with a couple of strained notes creeping in during "Fire Down Below."

Judging by the fans' response, it was a fair trade-off. And when Seger was physically still, his inviting warm rasp emerged, whether he was tenderly singing his late mother's favorite song, "We've Got Tonight," from behind a piano or delivering a solid rendition of "Like a Rock," with Rob McNelley supplying rugged slide guitar.

Considering this was Seger's final Milwaukee appearance, we fittingly got a long goodbye.

During the first encore, "Against The Wind" best encapsulated the night when Seger sang, "Well, I'm older now, but I'm still running against the wind." "Night Moves" arrived during the second encore — the frequently bold band receding for a moment as Seger sang in a gentle whisper — leading up to a swinging singalong finale with "Rock and Roll Never Forgets."

It was a fitting swan song for a show, and a man, who will be impossible to forget.

Opener Grand Funk Railroad’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, although only the original rhythm section, Mel Schacher on bass and Don Brewer on drums, are still touring with the band.

Frontman Max Carl, lead guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion joined the group in 2000, nearly three decades after Railroad’s ‘70s heyday. But they brought plenty of crowd-pleasing boogie rock swagger Thursday, as did drummer Brewer, who got out from behind the kit to lead a sweet rendition of “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

The takeaways

Seger's frequently been starting his shows with "Long Twin Silver Line." But on Thursday, he opted for his cover of Lou Reed's "Busload of Faith," tweaking a lyric to sing, "You can't depend on the politicians." A veiled comment on the government shutdown, perhaps?

While the two-hour show largely stuck to the hits, there were a couple of rarities, including a cover of Rodney Crowell's "Shame on the Moon" that Seger estimated was last performed in Milwaukee 28 years ago.

There also was a newer tune Thursday, "I'll Remember You," which Seger dedicated to his late friend Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Photos of other recently departed music stars — like Prince, Leonard Cohen, fellow Detroit native Aretha Franklin, Gregg Allman, Chuck Berry, and Tom Petty (pictured with Seger) — flashed on the screen behind the stage during the performance.

Seger peppered his set with little pieces of trivia, like "Her Strut's" chart success in 1980, and how his days on the high school track team inspired "Like a Rock." The most interesting tidbit: "Turn the Page" was written in Eau Claire.

Milwaukee soul rocker Abby Jeanne has big plans for 2019, and they begin with the release show for her ambitious new album "Music Box Dancer," which is poised to take her career to new heights. 8 p.m. Jan. 5, Turner Hall Ballroom. $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Summerfest

During a season with plenty of country concert options, Chris Janson is the one to catch, a fast-riser whose gotten raves for his dynamic, instrument-hopping live sets and novel tunes like "Drunk Girl," a moving call for consent. 8 p.m. Jan. 11, the Rave. $28 to $99. Eric Brown

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger will play his first Milwaukee show in 12 years – and his last. The concert is part of his farewell tour with his Silver Bullet Band. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24, Fiserv Forum. $99 to $654. Jim Bovin / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Heartland rocker John Mellencamp will play plenty of his hits, and also some novel covers, as part of a tour behind latest album "Other People's Stuff." 8 p.m. Feb. 8, Riverside Theater. $42.50 to $233.87. Larry Busacca

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Pink brings her "Beautiful Trauma" tour to the new Bucks arena May 2, 2019. She ended a three-year hiatus with a concert at Summerfest's American Family Insurance Amphitheater in 2017 that ended up on the Journal Sentinel's Best Concerts of the Year list. Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cher brings her "Here We Go Again" tour to Fiserv Forum May 12, where the pop superstar is expected to sing her hits across her 55-year-career, and ABBA covers from a new tribute album. Michael McLoone / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Carrie Underwood announced that she was pregnant Wednesday morning in addition to unveiling the itinerary for her "Cry Pretty 360 Tour." It will stop at the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, the Fiserv Forum, June 20. Christopher Polk

After being booked as a Coachella headliner at the last minute, Ariana Grande postponed several dates surrounding her April appearances at the California festival. A show set at Fiserv Forum April 15 has been moved to July 5, opposite Summerfest. Eric Liebowitz / Associated Press

The Milwaukee-born Violent Femmes, co-founded by Gordon Gano (left) and Brian Ritchie (left), was the first band to perform at the new Bucks arena, Fiserv Forum, Sept. 4. Melissa Miller/PTG Live Events

Adam Levine (left) and James Valentine of Maroon 5 perform during "One Voice: Somos Live! A Concert For Disaster Relief" at the Universal Studios Lot on Oct. 14 in Los Angeles. The band will be at the new Bucks arena on Sept. 16, touring in support of its sixth studio album, "Red Pill Blues." Tickets are on sale. Handout, Getty Images

Travis Scott, pictured here headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 2, headlined the first hip-hop show at Fiserv Forum Feb. 22, and the first major hip-hop tour to play a Milwaukee arena in 16 years. Greg Noire / Lollapalooza 2018